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Wildlife

I confess, I like most animals more than most people. When my wife and I moved to the California foothills a decade and a half ago, I came eye to eye with those who have lived here forever. Humans can be overconfident with their intellect and opposing thumbs. In their natural setting, animals perceive more acutely understand and more wholly because they live in the moment as well as the place. In my wildlife photos I hope to capture the quiet beauty, the charm and the peril, the touching and the menacing beings that inhabit the untamed edge of our human village.

Backyard Series - Taken in Alta Sierra California during a December snowfall, a mature buck and a doe relax in an open patch of forest. While the buck rests, surrounded by several inches of accumulated snow, the doe alertly listens for any sound that pierces the solemn quiet.
In backyard Series with both 'Summer Repose" and "A Winter's Day in the Backyard"

Natural History – Wildlife Folder:- A lone buck searches for a doe - seen in the distant trees - on the morning after a December snow. Available in Fine Art Backyard Series with both 'Summer Repose" and "A Winter's Day in the Backyard"

Backyard Series - Two does languish in a sea of delicious spring grasses. This scene represents the summer version of "Winter Search." The pair side-by-side tell silent stories from the lives of a local mule deer herd.

Natural History – Wildlife Folder: a plump Chukar takes refuge on our roof from a large wildfire. It hung out for three days until the fire was over then disappeared. It was the only time we've ever seen a Chukar in the vacinity.

Natural History - WIldlife Folder: every year when berries of our pyracantha bushes ripen, flocks of robins, joined by beautiful cedar waxwings, come and gorge on the berries. Here the robin takes his turn.

Natural History - WIldlife Folder: every year when our pyracantha bushes ripen, flocks of robins, joined by beautiful cedar waxwings, come and gorge on the berries. Here a waxwing, counterpart to the previous robin, pauses for a second to hold the berry in its beak before swallowing it whole.

Natural History - WIldlife Folder: we called him Elvis because he was king. The Alpha male of a local herd for many years, this giant with the impressive rack would come when called and eat right out of my hand. He was one of a kind and will be long remembered for his combination of size and temperment.

A rattlesnake with 9 rattles (8 visible) camps our under the eves to our house. It was gone the next morning. Returned again for a day. Then left for good. Our cat found it first both times. She is still with us and constantly on guard. Flashlight and camera flash.